I'm starting three new lists--The top (ten) astronomical events to watch for in the next (1,10,100) year(s).

I think the first list should include next month's flyby of 2002 NY40, and the second list should include the Dec. 24, 2007 Mars next to the full moon, when the full moon will be highest in the northern hemisphere sky for nearly twenty years.

Any personal favorites you have to suggest?

I'm hoping for the Eta Carinae supernova of 2014.

Uh, I don't see that on the schedule...

How about a nother list, Top Ten Astronomical Events That Might Happen Soon?

I'm looking forward to the U.S.-visible total solar eclipse on Aug 21, 2017 . . .

[img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]

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Cassini-Huygens arives at Saturn/Titan July 2004 (Huygens probe enters Titan atmosphere Feb 2005)

Ye of little faith.

I'm mostly looking forward to the Kepler telescopes that we might get proof of Earth-like planets around other stars - that would be most excellent.

Ok, the might-happen fly-by of Pluto and Charon by the PKO express (or whatever it ends up being called) in, oh let's say 2018.

I can't wait to see it speed right between the two objects, snapping photos all the way. [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]

Number 2, finally getting a probe to completely survey the surface of Mercury. Is that one on the books now? I can't remember. [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_confused.gif[/img]

So, I'm looking forward to getting a look at both ends of the solar system.

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Didn't she fling herself under a train years ago? [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]

Don't leave out the last chance for a big Leonids meteor event. Moonlight could be a problem but maybe not. The '98 fireballs would have still been visible if a full Moon had been up.

How about the transit of Venus in june of 2004?

Ooohh... That sounds cool. Would I be able to see it with binocs? (I have welders glass over them of course.) I'll have to compare it to Sunspot sizes, NASA's always giving the comps like equal to 6 Earth diameters. It will be pretty small, but moving noticiably.

Here is some media from the November 15th 1999 transit of Mercury for comparison:

Mercury Transit as seen by TRACE

Well, GoW, you did ask for personal favourites. [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

The (okay, I'll shut up and go away now) Curtmudgeon

DANGER WILL ROBINSON! While welder's glass blocks UV and reduces visible light to comfortable levels for welding it does not stop IR and is not reccomended for even unaided solar observation. 7x50 binoculars have 250+ times the light gathering power of a light adapted eye. If you are going to observe the Sun, get aluminized mylar solar filters for your binocs. They're cheap (especially compared to the possible consequences).

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<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Kaptain K on 2002-07-29 20:13 ]</font>

Good one, Curt.
Definitely an astronomical event of great significance. Certainly the top 5 on my list, and I don't want to miss it.

But I was wondering, does it come in the next(1,10 or 100) years? [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

G^2



<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Gsquare on 2002-07-30 00:09 ]</font>

http://www.mreclipse.com/Totality/To...11.html#Filter

"Observing Eclipses Safely

Adapted from Chapter 11 - Totality: Eclipses of the Sun
Copyright ©1999 by Mark Littmann, Ken Willcox and Fred Espenak

Welders' Goggles
Welders' goggles or the filters for welder's goggles with a rating of 14 or higher are safe to use for looking directly at the Sun. They are also relatively inexpensive."

Do you know something they don't know? I've been using this type of filter over my binocs for years. I don't look too often, (once you've seen a few spots they aren't too exciting). I would hate to be doing more damage than time itself is doing.

Yes. Definitely.

The (always glad to help clear things up) Curtmudgeon

Next missions to Mars to include two different landers. Launched around the next opposition.

The landers will be rovers (there will be no "home base") and will land using the pathfinder airbag system.

http://mpfwww.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/future/2003.html

Also Mars Express.
http://mpfwww.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/future/express.html

First of all, I stand (provisionally) corrected as to using welders' goggles for use with the unaided eye. I remember reading in Sky & Telescope that it isn't safe but I can't remember when this was.

However,
Emphasis added.

I interpret that to mean with the unaided eye. Nowhere does it specifically state that a welders' filter is safe with binoculars. Maybe someone else can step in here with a definitive answer. I personally prefer a "better safe than sorry approach" since:
1) They're the only eyes I've got.
and
2) I'm already legally blind without my glasses (-8 diopters of correction - about 20/800 or so)

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<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Kaptain K on 2002-08-01 06:09 ]</font>

Sunspot activity is so high so long after the peak in the solar cycle. I'd put that on the list.

I think the welder goggles idea was brought up on tv when we had a solar eclipse in the uk. IIRC they said better be safe than sorry so used gear designed for looking at the sun. Its probably best not to have to change your username to bespectical! (say it quick then groan at the horrible horrible pun)

2003, Voyager 1 encounters termination shock and enters heliosheath space. Termination shock is believed to be at about 85 + or - 5 AU. Voyager 1 is currently about 85 AU from the sun.

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How about this asteroid flyby for the 100 yr list? I think it's really a big one but I can't find the table with sizes noted that I looked at earlier.

Designation: 2002 LY45
Close-Approach Date: 2032-Mar-27 02:04
Earth Miss Distance
Minimum: 0.1AU 0.0004LD [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_eek.gif[/img]
Nominal: 14.1AU 0.0362LD

Re the welder's glass for protection from the Sun, I actually use a double lense so there should be a margin of error. The reference link is from spaceweather.com I am very skeptical but I looked into it thoroughly when I went to Mexico in '91. You gotta trust someone.

I will certainly take your advice though and not use such a filter on my telescope if I try to see the Venus transit with the scope.

My Sun seeking binocs are only 7X25. You really don't need bigger ones for Sun spots. The filters make the Sun a very comfortable shade of green. [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]

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I've emailed Mr Eclipse. I'll let you know what he says.

To Kaptain K:

You are partially correct. [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img] They welders gogles intended for gas applications (oxygen-acetylene)are not safe for looking at the Sun under any conditions. They do not filter at the proper frequencies or sufficiently reduce intinsity and are an extreme hazard. [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_frown.gif[/img]

The "Masks" used for arc, heliarc and plasmarc with a blocking factor of 14 or higher are safe. They block the correct frequencies and reduce intensity enough to be safe. I'm not sure you'd be able to see anything if you used a filter higher than BF-14. My mask has a 14 and the Sun appears very dim through it.

(edit to correct typo's)
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<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Russ on 2002-08-02 14:43 ]</font>

I just think it's peachy keen when we are all right.

I'll look into what kind of filters I have. They are dark green for whatever that's worth. I got them from a junkyard type used stuff store. They were from worn out welder's masks. I have 5 or 6, some thinner than the others. I just added them together until I had a comfortable view of the Sun. You cannot see through the lens except when you are looking at the Sun. It's 'quite green' but I wouldn't call it 'quite dim'.

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Mr. Eclipse updated his pages with a warning, apparently on September 3rd of last year. I just noticed it.

Any others?

And the top ten threads revived after the longest time....

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The top ten saps that have to read the whole thread before figuring out the punch line.

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